A guide to the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS), Version 3 [3 ed.]

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EUROBATS

A guide to the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS) Version 3 Anthony M. Hutson, Ferdia Marnell & Ruth Petermann

Bonn 2023

This publication is dedicated to Tony Hutson (1944 -2023)

Hutson, A.M., Marnell, F. & Petermann, R. (2023) A guide to the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS). Version 3. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. Cover photo: Maternity colony of M. emarginatus © Boyan Petrov

This publication is available online on the EUROBATS website www.eurobats.org

Contents

Executive Summary

1

1 Introduction

2

2 Resolutions relating to the Preamble and Article 1

10

3 Resolutions relating to Article III. Fundamental Obligations

12

4 Resolutions relating

to Article IV of the Agreement (National

23

5 Resolutions relating to Article VI (Reports on Implementation)

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6 References

25

Implementation)

Annexes Annex 1. Article III Fundamental Obligations of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats Annex 2. Overview of the implementation status of Resolutions adopted by the 1st – 8th Sessions of the Meeting of Parties to EUROBATS Annex 3. Current list of species covered by the Agreement with their IUCN Red List status Annex 4. Working group members

This publication is dedicated to Tony Hutson (1944 -2023)

Executive Summary This document is intended to help Parties to implement the EUROBATS Agreement. It provides an overview of the Agreement and reviews each of the commitments undertaken by Parties to the Agreement. As well as providing guidance to Parties, this document summarises the fundamental obligations of the Agreement and will be of value to all Range States and other interested organizations and individuals. EUROBATS is a daughter Agreement of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and its principal aim is to provide coordination and direction for the conservation, protection and research of European bat populations across their range. The fundamental obligations of EUROBATS relate to the implementation of a licensing system; the identification and protection of important sites; the conservation of bat habitats; the promotion of the awareness and conservation of bats; the provision of advice in relation to bats; the need for action to safeguard threatened bat populations; the promotion of research; and consideration of the effects of pesticides. The relevant Intersessional Working Groups and the up-to-date Resolutions pertaining to each of these obligations are summarised.

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1. Introduction 1.1. The Agreement The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (originally the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe) came into force in 1994 and by early 2023 a total of 38 out of 63 Range States had acceded to the Agreement. The Agreement, commonly known as EUROBATS, was set up under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or the Bonn Convention) which recognises that endangered migratory species can be properly protected only if activities are co-ordinated over the entire migratory range of the species. The EUROBATS Agreement aims to protect all European bat species (55 currently recognised) through legislation, education, conservation measures and international co-operation between Agreement members and with those who have not yet joined 1. The Agreement provides a framework of co-operation for the conservation of bats throughout Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. The full text of the Agreement and the scope and activities of EUROBATS can be viewed at its web site: http://www.eurobats.org. In 1995, the First Session of the Meeting of Parties to the Agreement (MoP1) formed an action plan (Resolution 1.6 (MoP1 Record, Annex K) Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan), which was to be translated into international action. It also established an Advisory Committee to carry forward this Plan between the MoPs. A history of the development of the Agreement and an assessment of its work during its first 15 years can be found in EUROBATS Publication Series No.1 (UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, 2006). This publication also includes many statements from individual Parties giving examples of their activities to meet the objectives of the Agreement. Although set up under the auspices of CMS, the Agreement is an independent international treaty with its own bodies. These are the Meeting of Parties, the Standing Committee (StC), the Advisory Committee (AC) and the Secretariat, which reports directly to the Parties. The Secretariat is co-located with the Secretariats of the Convention and two other Agreements, sharing a joint financial and personnel administration. The Depository for the Agreement is the UK, whose Foreign Office deals with matters of accession. The Depository also has a permanent position in the StC and is responsible for checking the credentials of Parties attending Sessions of the Meeting of Parties.

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Countries that have joined the Agreement are known as Parties. Countries within the scope of the Agreement but who have yet to join are referred to as non-Party Range States.

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1.2. Legal framework of Agreement and Resolutions EUROBATS is a CMS Article IV Agreement. Article IV of the Convention provides inter alia that species which have an unfavourable conservation status and which require international Agreements for their conservation and management or would significantly benefit from the international cooperation that could be achieved by an Agreement should be listed on Appendix II of the Convention. Parties that are range states of migratory species listed in Appendix II shall endeavour to conclude Agreements where these should benefit the species. Such Agreements are binding international treaties. Resolutions adopted at the Sessions of the Meeting of Parties are equally binding and may require amendments to be enacted to the national legislation of each Party. 1.3. National Reports An important feature of the Agreement is the comprehensive national report produced for each Session of the Meeting of Parties. This report is a requirement of all Parties. Non-Party Range States are also encouraged to submit national reports detailing, inter alia, how their country is progressing with the ratification of the Agreement. Up-dates are also requested for Advisory Committee meetings. Reporting is now carried out through an online portal to a given template. All

national

reports

are

made

available

online

here:

http://www.eurobats.org/official_documents/national_reports. The national reports allow an assessment of the progress on bat conservation on a panEuropean scale. They highlight achievements of the individual countries and include many examples of successful activities that can be adopted by other Range States, as well as reports on fresh initiatives and their success (or otherwise). The national reports can serve as an incentive for systematic collection of data and information related to bats and can help to identify research activities which may allow opportunities for collaboration between Range States. The national reports also help identify areas where Range States are failing to advance certain aspects of the Agreement and where further help may be beneficial. The national report format can serve as the starting point for the planning of national implementation activities under the EUROBATS Agreement. 1.4. Role of Secretariat Following an interim secretariat based in the UK, a permanent EUROBATS Secretariat was established by the First Session of the Meeting of Parties in 1995 (MoP 1 Annex G - Res. 1.3. Resolution on the establishment and the location of the permanent Secretariat). It started working in Bonn, Germany, in 1996. The Secretariat is co-located with the CMS Secretariat and other environment and development-related United Nations institutions at the UN Campus in Bonn. 3

Its particular functions are to: •

exchange information and co-ordinate international research and monitoring initiatives;

•

arrange the Meetings of the Parties and the Advisory and Standing Committee meetings;

•

stimulate proposals for improving the effectiveness of the Agreement, and attract more countries to participate in and join the Agreement;

•

stimulate public awareness of the threats to European bat species and what can be done at all levels to prevent their numbers dwindling further.

The Secretariat currently comprises an Executive Secretary, two part-time administrative support officers and a part-time associate scientific and project officer. 1.5. Roles of the Meeting of the Parties and Committees Meeting of the Parties (MoP) A session of the Meeting of Parties (MoP) is held every four years 2. At the MoP, Range States provide national reports on the implementation of the Agreement, the budget and scale of contributions for the next quadrennium are agreed and Resolutions to assist in implementing the principles of the Agreement, including a work programme for the next intersessional period, are discussed and adopted. The full terms of reference for the Meeting of Parties are given in Article V of the Agreement. The latest Rules of Procedure for the Meeting of Parties is provided in Doc.EUROBATS.MoP9.4.Rev.1. Provisional Rules of Procedure. Advisory Committee (AC) An Advisory Committee (AC) was established through Res 1.6 (MoP1 Record, Annex H): Resolution on the Establishment of an Advisory Committee. The committee meets annually and is open to all Parties and non-Party Range States, to Observers deemed appropriate by Parties and to invited advisors. The role of the AC is to provide expert advice and information to the Secretariat and the Parties on the conservation and management of bats and other matters in relation to the running of the Agreement. The operational principles of the committee are given in Res. 6.18: Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee. Working Groups may be established during MoPs (under Article V.2 of the Agreement) or at AC meetings to develop reports and/or Resolutions on matters of concern to the Agreement. Their work may be completed at the meeting, but they are often established as Intersessional Working Groups (IWGs) to progress work between meetings. The AC currently has 17 such working groups covering a wide range of topics (see the EUROBATS website).

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MoPs used to be held every 3 years but this changed after MoP 5 (2006)

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Standing Committee (StC) A Standing Committee (StC) to deal with budgetary and other administrative matters was established through Res. 5.8. Establishment of a Standing Committee of the Agreement. This committee meets each year and comprises of no more than eight voting Parties, mostly elected, but all Parties may attend meetings and participate in discussions. The operational principles of the committee are given in Res. 6.17: Amendment of Resolution 5.8 – Terms of Reference for the Standing Committee. 1.6. Designation of a competent authority Article II.3. of the Agreement states that ‘Each Party to this Agreement shall designate one or more competent authorities to whom it shall assign responsibility for the implementation of this Agreement. It shall communicate the name and address of its authority or authorities to the other parties to this Agreement.’ A competent authority is the national institution or agency within a Party that is responsible for implementing the fundamental obligations arising from the Agreement as well as the decisions in the MoP Resolutions. The competent authority can be the Ministry overseeing environmental issues, but very often is a specialised national nature conservation agency or several regional agencies that are responsible for the implementation of nature and species conservation policies within a country. It is at a Party’s discretion to designate the competent authorities in its respective country. Parties and non-Party Range States are requested to provide nominated Focal Points, for administration and for scientific aspects. The Focal Points act as the first contact for enquiries relating to their range state. The Secretariat maintains an up-to-date list of Focal Points (see the EUROBATS website). Further guidance on the role of Focal Points can be found in UNEP/CMS Secretariat & UNEP/AEWA Secretariat (2013). The Agreement makes available Rules of Procedure for each meeting, but it may be useful to note more generic guidelines from UNEP for those involved in negotiations for or at such meetings (Salpin et al., 2007; Mace et al., 2007). 1.7. Funding On the basis of Article V Paragraph 1 of the Agreement, the Parties adopt the budget and the scale of contributions for the next financial period at each MoP. The scale of contributions can be a general one, e.g. the UN scale of assessments, or a specific one determined by the Parties. Apart from the assessed contributions Parties are invited to make voluntary contributions that are usually earmarked for research and conservation projects or other special purposes. 5

In 2008, the Secretariat launched the EUROBATS Projects Initiative (EPI) which is a small (2.000 – 5.000 EUR) to medium size (5.000 – 10.000 EUR) grants programme for research, conservation or awareness-raising projects, entirely funded through voluntary contributions from Parties. 1.8. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) NGOs can be major contributors in assisting with meeting the obligations of the Agreement. They can also participate at ACs and MoPs and play an active role in IWGs. The important role of NGOs in such work is recognised in Res. 4.11 Recognising the Important Role of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) in Bat Conservation. National NGOs In many Range States there are NGOs established specifically for the conservation of bats. In most others there are NGOs with a wider remit but with competence in bat conservation. Contact with such organisations in individual countries can be obtained from BatLife Europe or from the EUROBATS website 3. BatLife Europe BatLife Europe is a recently established international NGO dedicated to the conservation of bats. It is formed by a partnership of national NGOs and in March 2023, BatLife Europe had 35 partner organisations. Further details can be found at http://www.batlife-europe.info. The IUCN/SSC Bat Specialist Group The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global government and nongovernment organization dedicated to the conservation of nature and natural resources, includes a number of expert ‘Commissions’, one of which is the Species Survival Commission (SSC). The SSC includes a number of specialist groups covering particular species, groups of species or threats. The Bat Specialist Group is a worldwide network of specialists concerned for the conservation of bats, and involved in acting for particular threats, action planning and updating the IUCN Red List. For further information see http://www.iucnbsg.org. 1.10. Relationships with other Conventions and Directives Several other conventions and Directives have a direct relevance to the conservation of population of European bats. Res. 6.10 Synergies between the Agreement and other

3

http://www.eurobats.org/contacts/bat_conservation_organizations

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European treaties for nature conservation, urges the Secretariat to raise awareness for potential synergies of the Agreement and other European nature conservation treaties; through this it encourages the Parties and non-Party Range States to support information exchange and cooperation, and instructs the Advisory Committee to harmonise contents of national reports and reduce the workload related to reporting. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats The Bern / Berne Convention was adopted in 1979. It has a wide Party membership throughout Europe and acts for the conservation of species and habitats. It has appendices of threatened species, with all species of bat except P. pipistrellus, being included in Appendix II which requires that they be given special protection; P. pipistrellus is included in Appendix III, which requires the regulation of its exploitation. Habitats Directive The European Union’s Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora [92/43/EEC], often referred to as the Habitats Directive, lists all EU bat species under Annex IV. This obliges Member States to establish a system of strict protection, prohibiting the deliberate capture or killing of bats, the deliberate disturbance of these species, and the deterioration and destruction of their breeding sites and resting places. Derogations from these provisions are provided for, under strict circumstances, in Article 16. Some interpretation of the requirements of Articles 12 and 16 is provided by the European Commission here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/guidance/ index_en.htm. Fourteen bat species are further protected under the provisions of Annex II which requires countries to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Article 6 of the Directive is of particular relevance to these. Two further Articles of the Directive are of relevance to all bats: Article 11 requires Member States to undertake surveillance of all listed species and Article 17 obliges countries to report on the conservation status of all species every six years. The full text of the Directive, including the list of Annex II bats is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm. In addition a joint EU/EUROBATS action plan for the conservation of all bats species in the EU has been published (Barova & Streit, 2018). Convention on Biological Diversity The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) does not focus on particular habitats or species but instead recognises that biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of 7

ecosystem services essential for human well-being. The objectives of this Convention are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Programmes of work and specific targets are established to further these objectives. The CBD’s latest strategic plan consists of five over-arching goals: •

Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society;

•

Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use;

•

Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity;

•

Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services;

•

Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.

National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans are the principal instruments for implementing the Convention at the national level. In many countries, bats are specifically mentioned in the National Biodiversity Strategies, and Action Plans to protect rare and endangered species of bats have been published. The full text of the Convention is here: http://www.cbd.int/convention/text/. And the latest Strategic Plan is summarized here: http://www.cbd.int/sp/. Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy This Strategy (PEBLDS) was developed by the Council of Europe and adopted in 1995. It provides an international framework for co-operation for consolidating and extending schemes and programmes in the conservation field. It comprises a number of Action Themes. As part of the measures to implement Action Theme 11 (Action for threatened species), the Council of Europe commissioned species action plans for two bat species, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Myotis dasycneme (Ransome & Hutson, 2000; Limpens et al., 2000). The EU has a range of other Directives that are relevant to bats, some are examples of high level strategic action, such as the EIA and SEA Directives: •

The 'Environmental Impact Assessment' – EIA - Directive (2011/92/EU). This Directive was passed in 2011 and urges Member States to ensure that developments likely to have significant effects on the environment are made subject to an assessment with regard to their effects (Art. 2).

•

The 'Strategic Environmental Assessment' – SEA - Directive (2001/42/EC) was adopted in 2001. It makes it mandatory for public plans and programmes (agriculture, forestry,

fisheries,

energy,

industry,

transport,

waste/

water

management, 8

telecommunications, tourism, town & country planning or land use) which are likely to have significant environmental effects, including effects to fauna, to have a strategic environmental assessment. The latter two Directives do not make any explicit reference to the protection of bats but include the need to take account of environmental impacts on biodiversity, with particular attention to species and habitats protected under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. An example of another Directive with more specific aims and perhaps more directly related to bats is the Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides (2009/128/EC), which also makes reference to the Habitats Directive. Bats may be impacted by pesticides, both directly (e.g. through contact with remedial timber treatment chemicals), or indirectly (e.g. through reduction of their insect prey).

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2. Resolutions relating to the Preamble and Article I The Preamble and original Article Ib of the Agreement state that the Agreement applies to “Bats” and that this is taken to mean ‘European populations of CHIROPTERA (Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) occurring in Europe and non-European Range States’. The geographical scope of the Agreement was defined in Res. 2.5 Geographical Scope of the Agreement, which includes a List of Countries or Regional Economic Integration Organisations within the “continent of Europe”. This was endorsed in Res. 5.11 Geographical Scope of the Agreement, but amended in Res. 6.3 Geographical Scope of the Agreement to emphasise that membership is open to all 63 Range States of the western Palaearctic (while maintaining the species covered as those occurring in ‘Europe’). At the same time the European coverage was extended to include the regional Atlantic islands. Thus

‘Europe’

for

the

purposes

of

the

Agreement

is

as

defined

in

Doc.

EUROBATS.MoP2.8.AnnexAFin as the Western Palaearctic region, excluding North Africa and Iceland, with the Eastern boundary drawn at Turkey and the Caucasus countries, and the Southern boundary being the south coast of the continent of Europe, with the addition of the Mediterranean states (Cyprus and Malta), and the islands belonging to mainland European states; and with the addition of the Canary islands, Madeira and the Azores. The species coverage of the Agreement was initially amended to include the family Molossidae (for Tadarida teniotis) in Res. MoP1.AnnexE. Resolution Confirming the Amendment of the Scope of the Agreement. Subsequently, it was agreed (Res. 3.7 Amendment of the Agreement) to replace Article I (b) with: “(b) “Bats” means populations of CHIROPTERA species as listed in Annex 1 to this Agreement occurring in Europe and in their non-European Range States”; and Res. 3.7 also established an Annex 1 of Bat Species Occurring in Europe to which the Agreement Applies. This Annex is reviewed for each MoP to incorporate any changes in the fauna of the Agreement area, based on an assessment of recent research that identifies new species to the region, and changes in taxonomy or systematics. Changes to the Annex were agreed in Res. 4.8 Amendment of the Annex to the Agreement (with explanatory information in Inf.EUROBATS.MoP4.13), Res. 5.3 Amendment of the Annex to the Agreement (with explanatory information in Inf.EUROBATS. MoP5.9.Rev.1), Res. 6.2 Amendment

of

the

Annex

to

the

Agreement

(with

explanatory

information

in

Inf.EUROBATS.MoP6.45), Res. 7.2 Amendment of the Annex to the Agreement (with explanatory information in Inf.EUROBATS.MoP7.48), Res. 8.2 Amendment of the Annex to the Agreement (with explanatory information in Inf.EUROBATS.MoP8.9) and Res. 9.2 Amendment of the Annex to the Agreement. 10

The national distribution (and in most cases the national conservation status) was tabulated in Annex 1 and Annex 2 to Res. 5.11 Geographical Scope of the Agreement. This needs updating (including with reference to non-European Range States – see Para 2(d).iii of Res. 7.13 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2015-2018)). The current list of Bat species occurring in Europe to which this Agreement applies (Species listed in the Annex to the Agreement Text) can be found in Res. 9.2. EUROBATS has also published a guide to the common names of European bat species in all European languages (Lina, 2016). Further information about these species and their conservation status can be found in the IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org/). The conservation status of European species was separately assessed (Temple & Terry, 2007), and some of these assessments were modified in an assessment of Mediterranean mammals (Temple & Cuttelod, 2009). The Red List status of European bat species was updated in November 2018 (see Annex 3). For general information about the European bat species see also Dietz et al. (2007, 2009).

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3. Resolutions relating to Article III. Fundamental Obligations Article III provides, in eight bullet points, the fundamental obligations of Parties to the Agreement. These obligations relate to licensing; the identification and protection of important sites; the conservation of bat habitats; the promotion of the awareness and conservation of bats; the provision of advice in relation to bats; the need for action to safeguard threatened bat populations; the promotion of research; and consideration of the effects of pesticides. At each MoP, resolutions are adopted to help expand on, interpret and provide advice to Parties on the implementation of these fundamental obligations (Annex 1). In particular, at each MoP a Conservation and Management Plan is adopted which identifies agreed priorities for the following period up to the next MoP. At MoP 1, Res. 1.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan recognised commitments by Parties to bat conservation and acknowledged the fundamental obligations placed upon them by Article III of the Agreement. It expanded on the Fundamental Obligations and called for cooperation in conservation and management of bat habitats, as well as a programme proposal for transboundary research and monitoring of migration routes, and development of monitoring methodologies. The Conservation and Management Plan (CMP) was complemented by Res. 2.8 which provided for the first 3-year Action Plan. This was subsequently superseded in sequence by Res 3.8, 4.9, 5.10, 6.16, 7.13, 8.11 and 9.7. We will now examine each of the eight paragraphs of Article III in turn. Article III Para 1. Each Party shall prohibit the deliberate capture, keeping or killing of bats except under permit from its competent authority. This Paragraph requires Parties to put in place legal protection for bats. The provision of a system of permits or licences (by an appropriate Competent Authority – see Art. II.3) is also implicit under Article III.1. Such a system might usefully recognize the need and provide for the capture and keeping of bats for educational or animal welfare purposes. It might also provide for the capture, sampling, ringing and, under certain circumstances, killing of bats for scientific study. Res. 1.7 on the Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan. Para 1 states ‘Parties should take measures to fully implement Article III.1 of the Agreement’ and this is repeated in its updates. In support of this Res. 3.4 Guidelines for the Issue of Permits for Bat Ringing Activities, requested the Advisory Committee to provide guidance on the licensing of certain aspects 12

of bat study. Res. 4.6 Guidelines for the Issue of Permits for the Capture and Study of Captured Wild Bats, provides such advice and includes two annexes, one with some initial general guidelines on resources and practices (as a preliminary to a more detailed bat handlers’ training manual, on the lines of those for Italy (Agnelli et al., 2006) and UK (Mitchell-Jones & McLeish, 2004), and one on suggested ring sizes for European bat species. Three amendments to this Resolution are provided in Res. 5.5 Amendment to Resolution 4.6: Guidelines for the Issue of Permits for the Capture and Study of Captured Wild Bats. Res. 6.5 Guidelines on Ethics for Research and Field Work Practices is also relevant to Article III.1. This urges Parties to have an appropriate Code of Practice for research and field work that addresses the context and legitimacy of acquisition, due diligence, long-term care, documentation, relevance and institutional aims. It provides advice a) to the managers of collections and of institutes under whose auspices research involving live animals, especially invasive research, is being carried out, b) to the researchers in the field or laboratory, and c) regarding the involvement of a ‘host’ country regulating activities of visitors from abroad to within its domain. Ignoring or avoidance of ethical practices (including licensing) may lead to the denying or withdrawing of required permits. This Resolution also instructs the Secretariat to publish up-to-date contact details of Administrative and Scientific focal points through the EUROBATS website. Examples of other general codes of practice for scientific institutes and journals can be found in: 1. Code of Ethics for Museums; ethical principles for all who work for or govern museums in the UK. (Museums Association, UK, 2002) 2. Animal Behaviour (journal); A Guide to Ethical Information Required for Animal Behaviour Papers 4 and Anon (2006); Guidelines for the treatment of animals in behavioural research and teaching. Animal Behaviour 71: 245-253. 3. Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation, FFI (journal): Current Instructions for Contributors: Code of Conduct for researchers contributing articles 5. Article III Para 2. Parties shall identify those sites within its own area of jurisdiction which are important for the conservation status, including for the shelter and protection, of bats. It shall, taking into account as necessary economic and social considerations, protect such sites from damage or disturbance. In addition, each Party

4

http://www.elsevier.com/framework_products/promis_misc/ethyanbe.doc

5

www.oryxthejournal.org

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shall endeavour to identify and protect important feeding areas for bats from damage or disturbance. Further to the requirement in III.1 to protect bats themselves, III.2 provides for the legal protection of bat roosts. Compliance with Article III.2 will require Parties to become familiar with the seasonal distribution of the various bat species present in their territories. Survey and monitoring work to identify important roosts and feeding areas will also be necessary. Res. 1.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan and all subsequent CMPs have highlighted areas for consideration here. Recognising the work carried out under the previous Conservation and Management Plans and the continuous need to prioritise actions, Res. 9.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2023 – 2026) updates the priorities for the next quadrennium. With reference to roosts in underground sites a working group was established following Res. 2.4 Transboundary Programme: Habitat Proposals. With reference to underground sites, the Agreement has published guidance on their protection and management (Mitchell-Jones et al., 2007) and is accumulating a database of national and internationally important sites. Parties are asked to contribute to this database and to keep it up-to-date (Resolution 4.3, Resolution 6.16 and Resolution 7.6). Para 3(b)i of Res. 9.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2023 – 2026) asks Parties to continue to collate and update information on important underground sites in line with revised guidance on site selection and required data given in Doc.EUROBATS.MoP7.22.Rev.1. Guidelines for the implementation of Resolution No. 4 adopted by the 2nd Session of the Meeting of Parties Transboundary programme - habitats: Data Compilation; Amended version, July 2014 by regular updates every 8 years. Parties are also urged to ensure the protection of important underground sites. A considerable amount of data is available on the Agreement website and further information may be available via the Secretariat. Res. 2.4 Transboundary Programme: Habitat Proposals also identified forests as a habitat of concern. Res.4.4 Bat Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management also identified key issues with reference to forests and roosts in trees. EUROBATS has collaborated in the publication of guidance on forest management (Anon, 2001), has published a leaflet Bats and Forestry (available in English, French, German, Danish, Italian, Russian and Portuguese 6). However, with reference to Resolution 7.7 Bat Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management, Para 2(h) of Res. 9.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2023 – 2026) encourages Parties to develop national guidelines based on the principles in the EUROBATS Bats and Forestry leaflet (and other guidance), and to develop and share best practice for forest management that is sustainable for bats. 6

http://www.eurobats.org/publications/eurobats_leaflets

14

Res. 5.7 Guidelines for the Protection of Overground Roosts, with particular reference to roosts in buildings of cultural heritage importance developed from a working group established in AC9 and referring to Res. 4.9 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2003-2006). EUROBATS has published guidelines in Marnell & Presetnik (2010). Although this concentrates on buildings of cultural importance, it gives general information relevant to the protection of bats and bat roosts in all types of buildings. There is a wealth of further information available on measures to protect, enhance and create bat roosts in buildings of all kinds, including privately owned houses and apartment blocks. Resolution 8.5 Conservation and Management of Important Overground Sites for Bats provides guidance on site selection for a register of important overground roosts and encourages Parties to submit details of their most important sites before MoP9 and to update them regularly. The IWG on Conservation and Management of Critical Feeding Areas and Commuting Routes is also relevant here. This group has prepared generic guidance (Kyheröinen et al., 2019) from which Parties can develop appropriate national guidelines (see below under Article III Para 3). Article III Para 3. When deciding which habitats to protect for general conservation purposes each Party shall give due weight to habitats that are important for bats This paragraph requires Parties to consider the needs of bats when national protection measures for habitats are being implemented. Res. 1.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan and all subsequent CMPs (see Res. 9.7 Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2023 – 2026)) have highlighted areas for consideration here. Res. 6.7 Conservation and Management of Critical Feeding Areas, Core Areas around Colonies and Commuting Routes urges awareness of key areas away from the roost and that these need to be taken into account in land use and planning decisions. It also encourages research and monitoring to improve our understanding of the use of landscape by bats. Repealing Res. 6.7, Resolution 7.8 Conservation and Management of critical Feeding Areas, Core Areas around Colonies and Commuting Routes continued to recognise the importance of key feeding areas and commuting routes and encourages the development of national guidelines in line with generic guidelines compiled by a working group of the Advisory Committee. The generic guidelines are now published by EUROBATS (Kyheröinen et al., 2019).

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Article III Para 4. Each Party shall take appropriate measures to promote the conservation of bats and shall promote public awareness of the importance of bat conservation. This Paragraph recognizes that enhancing public awareness and understanding of the value of bats will be necessary to ensure effective bat conservation and protection. It requires Parties to take the necessary steps to achieve this e.g. through the provision of educational materials for schools, through active engagement with the media, through the promotion and support of bat NGOs. Res. 1.7 Resolution on the Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan and all subsequent CMPs have encouraged the development of public awareness programmes and with particular attention directed to those professions which are likely to have the greatest impact on bats. The important role of NGOs in such work is recognised in Res. 4.11 Recognising the Important Role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Bat Conservation. A very wide range of materials have been prepared by many Range States for general public education, and for efforts more focused on particular bat conservation issues relating to species or habitats. These materials may be used for general distribution or use at organised events. They can be used as examples for the development of materials appropriate for use in individual states. A working group on Education was established at AC19 with the aim of reviewing available educational materials, bringing them up to date and making them more widely available (e.g. through translation into more languages). The Agreement provides resources to assist with the annual (usually autumn) European Bat Night, whereby publicity and education events are organised nationally as part of a Europewide initiative to encourage awareness of bats and their conservation. On a grander scale, Res. 3.5 International Year of the Bat encouraged wider participation in this programme to celebrate the first 10 years of EUROBATS. Similarly, EUROBATS was a major contributor and co-ordinator to the UNEP/CMS initiative for a ‘Year of the Bat’ through 2011-2012 (Res. 5.12 Global Year of the Bat and Res. 6.9 Year of the Bat). The EUROBATS Projects Initiative, which receives applications for funding of research and education projects, identifies both the relevance to the Agreement and the level of international collaboration as important factors in assessing applications. Criteria for the use of this fund are identified in Res. 6.4 Guidelines for the Implementation of the EUROBATS Projects Initiative (EPI). Article III Para 5. Each Party shall assign to an appropriate body responsibilities for the provision of advice on bat conservation and management within its territory 16

particularly with regard to bats in buildings. Parties shall exchange information on their experiences in this matter. Further to the requirements to enhance awareness of bats detailed in III.4, this paragraph requires Parties to assign the role of providing information and advice on bats to a particular body (or, potentially, bodies). This could be government bodies or NGOs with competence in bat conservation and management. Res 1.6 (MoP1 Record, Annex J). Format and Frequency of National Reports. Guidelines for national reports in this Resolution and its successors (Res. 7.4 Format of National Implementation Reports) include the need to identify such bodies in the national reports. Article III Para 6. Each Party shall take such additional action as it considers necessary to safeguard populations of bats which it identifies as being subject to threat and shall report under Article VI on the action taken. This paragraph requires Parties to take the necessary measures to manage threats to bats and to report on these measures in the national reports. Threats may occur that do not fit easily within the other paragraphs of Article III. These may be long-standing threats, but will also be threats that arise as emergency or short-term threats that need immediate attention (such as threats of closure or disturbance to an important cave system), or that may become longer-term threats as a result of new developments (such as wind turbines, or insect decline). Res. 1.7. Resolution on the Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan and all subsequent CMPs identify such potential areas for action. Where necessary, to examine these issues further, new Intersessional Working Groups have been established. One constant feature of the CMPs has been the need for population monitoring. Res. 2.2 Consistent Monitoring Methodologies gave some initial guidance on techniques for some target species. This has been superseded by the work of the Intersessional Working Group on monitoring and the resulting publication of Battersby (2010). Related to this is the development of a pan-European monitoring project based on data from counts in underground sites (Res. 5.4 Monitoring Bats across Europe) and the aim to develop the use of bat monitoring data within the suite of taxa used as indicators of environmental quality (Res. 6.13 Bats as Indicators for Biodiversity). The expanding use of wind turbines continues to be of great concern since it has become increasingly clear that bat mortality from wind farms or even isolated turbines may be significant. An assessment of the impact of wind turbines on bat populations, the development of guidelines for taking bats into account in proposals for the establishment of wind turbines, and the encouragement to initiate and support further research on the matter was the subject of Res. 4.7 Wind Turbines and Bat Populations. Initial guidelines were 17

presented with Res. 5.6 Wind Turbines and Bat Populations and generic guidelines published by EUROBATS as Rodrigues et al. (2008). Further Resolutions can be found in homonymic Res. 6.11, Res. 7.5 and Res. 8.4 (all three were repealed). The latest revision of the guidelines (Rodrigues et al., 2015) can be found on the EUROBATS web-site. The most recent resolution Res. 9.4 encourages a range of measures to minimize the impact of onshore and offshore wind farms on bat populations, including the use of blade-feathering and cut-in speeds to reduce mortality, excluding wind farms from areas with a special focus on bat protection, full evaluation of the potential impact on bats of all wind energy projects, and making the survey and monitoring data available. The development of energy from wind sources is a rapidly developing field, so the Advisory Committee maintains a working group on the subject to keep the generic guidelines up-todate and to improve the methods of assessment and mitigation of the impact on bat populations. Res. 8.13 Insect Decline as a Threat to Bat Populations in Europe notes the adverse effects on bats of the decline in insect populations. Parties are encouraged to support research on the subject and to limit the use of pesticides. In 2019, the Advisory Committee established a working group to investigate the topic. In 2006, mass mortality of bats associated with a previously undescribed fungus on bats hibernating in a cave near New York, USA, was identified. This and other factors resulted in the recognition of ‘White Nose Syndrome’ (WNS) which has spread rapidly through the eastern parts of North America and resulted in the deaths of over five million bats by 2012. There was concern that this problem might be introduced to Europe or that it might already exist in Europe, where it may become a problem. Res. 6.6 Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection and Control of Lethal Fungal Infections in Bats, urges awareness and liaison, surveillance and monitoring, the planning for the contingency that a lethal fungal disease becomes established in Europe, and to work closely with and make best use of scientific and technical findings to improve knowledge and to adopt measure to contain any potential spread. Note also that Res. 4.12. Priority Species for Autecological Studies highlighted mass mortality and roost abandonment of Miniopterus schreibersii in some countries in 2002, and recommended that, while recognising that this event (and possibly similar previous events) might have been due to weather conditions, there is a need to have more background knowledge of the pathology of bat species to assist in the identification of potential causes for such events in the future. An IWG on Communication, Bat Conservation and Public Health, established by the Advisory Committee in 2013 (AC18), continues to investigate issues associated with emerging diseases in bats and of potential relationship to public health. See Res. 9.6. on Communication, Bat Conservation and Public Health. 18

In accordance with the recommendations of the CMP, Res. 4.12. Priority Species for Autecological Studies identified three species for particular research and highlighted key areas of study for each species. Since much work has been achieved through this resolution (as reported in Inf.EUROBATS.MoP7.45 Report on Autecological Studies for Priority Species), and the list of species covered by the Agreement has changed, Res. 7.12 Priority Species for Autecological Studies identifies a new set of ten Priority Species and highlights topics for which research is required to assist in the conservation of species with an unfavourable conservation status. This Resolution repeals Res. 4.12 and was itself repealed by a further update of the list of priority species that was agreed at MoP9: Res. 9.3. Priority Species for Autecological Studies. A working group on Man-made Purpose-built Bat Roosts was established at AC15. Res 8.12. Purpose-built Man-made Roosts includes a review of case studies of purpose-built bat roosts, for use by Parties in the planning or renovation of roosting structures for bats. This report is available on the EUROBATS Website. A working group on the Impact of Roads and other Traffic Infrastructure on Bats was established at AC12. Res 6.14 requested the Advisory Committee to develop and publish a EUROBATS booklet highlighting the effects of roads on bats and providing guidance on minimising the impact of infrastructure projects on bats. Res. 7.9 Impact of Roads and Other Traffic Infrastructures on Bats urges Parties to take bats fully into account during the planning, construction and operation of roads and other transport infrastructure projects in line with guidelines to be finalised by the Advisory Committee. This resolution repeals Res. 6.14. A working group on Bats and Light Pollution was established at AC12. EUROBATS has published guidelines for the consideration of bats in lighting projects (Voigt et al., 2018). Res. 8.6 Bats and Light Pollution urges the use of these guidelines to develop national guidance for the planning and implementation of artificial lighting projects. A working group on bats and insulation was established at AC17. Res. 7.11 Bats and Building Insulation and Res. 8.9 Bats, Insulation and Lining Materials recognise a serious issue for bat conservation from certain types of building insulation and seeks Parties to address conflicts between legislation or regulation regarding insulation and bat conservation. This should take account of guidelines prepared by the Advisory Committee. Guidelines on this issue are about to be published in the EUROBATS Publication Series. A working group on bat rehabilitation was established at AC17. Res. 7.10 Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation encourages the establishment and support of effective animal rescue and rehabilitation systems, standardised recording procedures, collaboration between carers and researchers, and requests the Advisory Committee to develop guidelines for rehabilitation of 19

bats. A sample recording form is annexed to Res. 7.10, and Inf.EUROBATS.MoP7.47 Report of the Intersessional Working Group on Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation gives background to the requirement. Res. 8.8 Guidelines for Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation urges Parties to develop national guidelines and includes a draft of the guidelines in an Annex. Res. 7.14 Quality of Assessments and Experience and Skills of Experts recognises the increasing number and diversity of development plans and projects with possible impact on bats and hence the increasing demand for expertise and experts conducting environmental assessments on bats. The resolution requests the Advisory Committee to develop criteria for the required standard, experience and skills of experts assessing the impact of projects, plans and programmes on populations of European Bats. Res.8.10 Recommended Experience and Skills of Experts with regard to Quality of Assessments provides recommended criteria. Parties should ensure that experts or groups of experts carrying out assessment of projects, plans and programmes on populations of European bats meet the minimum standards of skills, knowledge and experience as described in the Annex to Resolution 8.10. The Advisory Committee was asked to develop a set of criteria for evaluating the quality of assessment reports and this is provided for in the Annex to Resolution 9.5 Support to Authorities Dealing with Bat Assessment Reports. Article III Para 7. Each Party shall, as appropriate, promote research programmes relating to the conservation and management of bats. Parties shall consult each other on such research programmes, and shall endeavour to co-ordinate such research and conservation programmes. This Paragraph encourages Parties to undertake research on bats and, where appropriate, to co-operate with other Parties and non-Party Range States when designing and conducting such research programmes. The first Conservation and Management Plan (Resolution 1.7) includes several areas where survey and research are considered important and seeks the development of transboundary research and monitoring of migration routes of selected species. Resolution 2.3. Transboundary Programme: Species Proposals addressed that recommendation and proposed a transboundary programme for research on one longrange migrant, Pipistrellus nathusii, and one medium-range migrant, Myotis dasycneme. It has to be said that no Europe-wide co-ordinated programme was developed, but much work has been carried out, much of it with reference to this resolution. The more general transboundary movements of bats is a key interest of the Agreement, and so there is ongoing interest in accumulating data on the daily and seasonal movements of bats in Europe (e.g. Resolution 8.3. Monitoring of Daily and Seasonal Movements of Bats, which encourages Parties to prioritize studies on the topic, especially those of a transboundary 20

nature, and to report on results). For available information on bat movements in Europe see Hutterer et al. (2005) and general information on bat migration and study techniques see the abstracts of the 1st International Symposium on Bat Migration (Anon, 2009) and of the 2023 International Bat Research Online Symposium (IBROS): Daily and seasonal movements of bats. With growing scientific evidence of climate change affecting the range, migration and reproductive behaviour patterns of bats, Res. 8.7 Bats and Climate Change requests the AC to establish a working group in 2019 to investigate the issue and asks Parties to co-operate in assessments of bat vulnerability to climate change. Resolution 2.4. Transboundary Programme: Habitat Proposals also addressed that recommendation in a proposal for transboundary collaboration on the conservation of two key habitats: underground sites and forest (see above under 3.2, Article III, para 2). Resolution 5.2. Bats and Rabies in Europe encourages the collaboration of bats workers, veterinary and public health departments with respect to research and monitoring of the occurrence of rabies-related viruses (mainly EBLV1 and EBLV2). Following a EUROBATS workshop on bat rabies held in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2004 (EUROBATS. Bat Rabies Workshop Report), guidelines for surveillance (active and passive) of bats for rabies viruses were developed with an EU Med-Vet-Net project (Workpackage 5: Molecular Epidemiology of European Bat Lyssaviruses). A list of recommendations for research and management of rabies in bats in Europe was produced at the First International Conference ‘Rabies in Europe’ in Kiev, Ukraine, in 2005 (Dodet et al., 2006; see also Racey et al., 2013). Through its Advisory Committee, the Agreement seeks to encourage responsible research at both a national and international level. Most reports of the Advisory Committee and subsequently, through documents of the Meeting of the Parties, identify needs for further knowledge; in particular all subsequent Conservation and Management Plans have identified areas of research and have highlighted the need for the research to be (internationally) collaborative wherever possible. Also of relevance here is Resolution 6.5. Guidelines on Ethics for Research and Fieldwork Practices (see above under Article III, para 1). A further example of international collaboration is the EUROBATS Projects Initiative, which receives applications for funding of research and other conservation projects, where both the relevance to the Agreement and the level of international collaboration are important factors in assessing applications. Criteria for the use of this fund were identified in Res. 6.4. Guidelines for the Implementation of the EUROBATS Projects Initiative (EPI). Res. 7.15 Amendment to Resolution 6.4: Guidelines for the Implementation of the EUROBATS Projects 21

Initiative (EPI) makes amendment to the application form and reporting requirement for grants under EPI. Article III Para 8. Each Party shall, wherever appropriate, consider the potential effects of pesticides on bats, when assessing pesticides for use, and shall endeavour to replace timber treatment chemicals which are highly toxic to bats with safer alternatives. Pesticides, and in particular the chemicals used to treat timbers (which may end up in bat roosts), have been identified as a cause of mortality for bats. Parties are required under this paragraph to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives wherever possible. Res. 1.7. (MoP1 Record, Annex K). Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan. The resolution identified two areas of particular concern relating to bats and pesticides: timber treatment chemicals and chemicals as antiparasitic drugs for livestock (endectocides, anthelmintics). Res. 4.5. Guidelines for the Use of Remedial Timber Treatment. Parties are urged to reduce or eliminate the impact on bats of chemicals used for remedial timber treatment through the use of research, liaison with manufacturers and users, the assessment of chemicals new to the market, and the sharing of information on chemicals and application practices. Some background to the use of remedial timber treatment chemicals and this resolution can be found in Doc.EUROBATS.AC7.1.Rev.3 and in Marnell & Presetnik (2010). Res. 6.15. Impact on Bat Populations of the Use of Antiparasitic Drugs for Livestock. The use of certain antiparasitic drugs can have major effect on the insect dung fauna, which is important as food to many bat species. The resolution discusses measures to reduce the impact and provides management guidelines. Further background information can be found in Inf.EUROBATS.MoP6.10. These are two of the areas where pesticides have been regarded as a particular problem for bats and thus were identified in the original Conservation and Management Plan. But it should be noted that the Article III.8 also covers concern for the general use of pesticides and encourages vigilance and appropriate action where new chemicals appear on the market. In this respect, Res. 8.13 Insect Decline as a Threat to Bat Populations in Europe notes the adverse effects on bats of the decline in insect populations (see under Article III.6).

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4. Resolutions relating to Article IV of the Agreement (National Implementation) Para 1 of Article IV states that ‘Each Party shall adopt and enforce such legislation and administrative measures as may be necessary for the purpose of giving effect to this Agreement. Arising from Res. 6.16. Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (20112014), the Advisory Committee established an Intersessional Working Group to review the implementation of the Agreement and relevant Resolutions and also to assess setting up a system to review requests addressed to the Secretariat for advice concerning the implementation. Res. 7.3 Implementation of the Agreement agreed to make the Implementation Guide publicly available and to keep it updated to assist parties in the implementation of the Agreement and in planning conservation work. A Guide to the Implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS) was first published in 2015. A second version was published after MoP8. The current document (Version 3) is an update to take account of changes resulting from MoP9.

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5. Resolutions relating to Article VI (Reports on Implementation) Res. 1.6. (MoP1 Record, Annex J). Format and frequency of national reports urges Parties to submit to the Secretariat a national report on their implementation of the Agreement following the agreed guidelines. It encourages coordinating authorities to cooperate with relevant institutions in their country on the preparation of national reports. Guidelines for the production and content of national reports were revised by Res. 2.7 and Res. 3.3. In 2014, Res. 7.4 Format of National Implementation Reports agreed to adopt a new format for the National Implementation Reports and to make this available online (see section 1, para 1.3.).

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References Agnelli, P, Martinoli, A., Patriarca, E., Russo, D., Scaravelli, D. & Genovesi, P. (eds) 2006. Guidelines for bat monitoring: methods for the study and conservation of bats in Italy. Quaderni di Conservazione della Natura 19 Bis. Ministero dell’Ambiente – Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica, Rome, and Ozanno dell’Emilia (Bologna), Italy. 193 pp. Anon. 2001. Bats in Forests – information and recommendations for forest managers. Landschaft als Lebensraum 4: 20 pp. English translation from German Association for Landcare, Ansbach, and Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn. Anon 2009. 1st International Symposium on Bat Migration, Berlin, Germany, 16th-18th of January 2009. Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin. 102 pp. Barova S. & Streit A. (eds) 2018. Action Plan for the Conservation of All Bat Species in the European Union 2018-2024. EU/Eurobats, 84 pp. (plus Additional information, 71pp) Battersby, J. (comp.) 2010. Guidelines for Surveillance and Monitoring of European Bats. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 5. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 95 pp. Boye, P. & Dietz, M. 2005. Development of good practice guidelines for woodland management for bats. English Nature Research Report no. 661. English Nature, Peterborough. Dietz, C., von Helversen, O. & Nill, D. 2007. Handbuch der Fledermäuse Europas und Nordwestafrikas. Franckh-Kosmos Verlags GmbH, Stuttgart. 399pp. Dietz, C., von Helversen, O. & Nill, D. 2009. Bats of Britain, Europe & Northwest Africa. A & C Black, London. 400 pp. Dodet, B., Schudel, A., Pastoret, P. P. & Lombard, M. (eds), 2006. First International Conference on Rabies in Europe. Developments in Biologicals 125, 1-329. Karger, Basel.Hutterer, R., Ivanova, T., Meyer-Cords, C. & Rodrigues, L. 2005. Bat Migrations in Europe. A review of banding data and literature. Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt 28. BfN, Bonn. 176pp. Kyheröinen, E.-M., Dekker, J., Dubourg-Savage, M.-J., Ferrer, B., Gazaryan, S., Georgiakakis, P., Hamidović, D., Harbusch, C., Haysom, K., Jahelková, H., Kervyn, T., Koch, M., Lundy, M., Marnell, F., Mitchell-Jones, A., Pir, J., Russo, D., Schofield, H., Syvertson, P.O. & Tsoar, A. 2019. Guidance on the Conservation and Management of Critical Feeding Areas and Commuting Routes for Bats. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 9. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 109 pp. Limpens, H.J.G.A., Lina, P.H.C. & Hutson, A.M. 2000. Action plan for the conservation of the pond bat in Europe (Myotis dasycneme). Nature and Environment, no. 108, Council of Europe, Strasbourg. 50 pp. Lina, P.H.C. 2016. Common Names of European Bats. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 5. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 102 pp. Mace, M.J., Mrema, E.M., Bruch, C. & Salpin, C. 2007. Guide for Negotiators of Multilateral Agreements. UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, Nairobi, 62 pp. [http://www.unep.org/pdf/delc/Guide_for_MEAs_final.pdf] Marnell, F. & Presetnik, P. 2010. Protection of overground roosts for bats. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 4. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 57 pp. 25

Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & McLeish, A.P. (eds) 2004. Bat Workers’ Manual (3rd edition). Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 178 pp. Mitchell-Jones, A.J., Bihari, Z., Masing, M. & Rodrigues, L. 2007. Protecting and managing underground sites for bats. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 2. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 38pp. Racey, P.A., Hutson, A.M. & Lina, P.H.C. 2013. Bat rabies, public health and European bat conservation. Zoonoses and Public Health 60: 58-68. Ransome, R.D. & Hutson, A.M. 2000. Action plan for the conservation of the greater horseshoe bat in Europe (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Nature and Environment, no. 109, Council of Europe, Strasbourg. 53 pp. Rodrigues, L., Bach, L., Dubourg-Savage, M.-J., Goodwin, J & Harbusch, C. 2008. Guidelines for consideration of bats in wind farm projects. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 3. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 51 pp. Rodrigues,L., Bach, L., Dubourg-Savage,M.-J., Karapandža, B., Kovač, D., Kervyn, T., Dekker, J., Kepel, A., Bach, P., Collins, J., Harbusch, C., Park, K., Micevski, B. & Mindermann, J. 2015. Guidelines for Consideration of Bats in Wind Farm Projects. Revision 2014. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 6. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 133 pp. Salpin, C, Kreilhuber, A. & Mrema, E. 2007. Glossary of Terms for Negotiators of Multilateral Environmental Agreements. UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, Nairobi. 106 pp. https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/report/glossary-terms-negotiatorsmultilateral-environmental-agreements Temple, H.J. & Terry, A. (Compilers) 2007. The Status and Distribution of European Mammals. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 48 pp. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/redlist/downloads/European_mam mals.pdf Temple, H.J. & Cuttelod, A. (compilers) 2009. Status and Distribution of Mediterranean Mammals. IUCN, Gland/ Cambridge. 32 pp. https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/mediteranean_mammals_web2.pdf UNEP/CMS Secretariat & UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, 2013. Manual for the National Focal Points for CMS and its Instruments. UNEP/CMS Secretariat & UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 105 pp. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat (Co-ordinator), 2006. 1991-2006, EUROBATS celebrates its 15th Anniversary. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 1. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 111 pp. Voigt, C.C., Azam, C., Dekker, J., Ferguson, J., Fritze, M., Gazaryan, S., Hölker, F., Jones, G., Leader, N., Lewanzik, D., Limpens, H.J.G.A., Mathews, F., Rydell, J., Schofield, H., Spoelstra, K. & Zagmajster, M. 2018. Guidelines for Consideration of Bats in Lighting Projects. EUROBATS Publication Series no. 8. UNEP/EUROBATS Secretariat, Bonn. 62 pp.

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Annex 1. Article III Fundamental Obligations of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats ARTICLE III Fundamental Obligations 1. Each Party shall prohibit the deliberate capture, keeping or killing of bats except under permit from its competent authority. 2. Each Party shall identify those sites within its own area of jurisdiction which are important for the conservation status, including for the shelter and protection, of bats. It shall, taking into account as necessary economic and social considerations, protect such sites from damage or disturbance. In addition, each Party shall endeavour to identify and protect important feeding areas for bats from damage or disturbance. 3. When deciding which habitats to protect for general conservation purposes each Party shall give due weight to habitats that are important for bats. 4. Each Party shall take appropriate measures to promote the conservation of bats and shall promote public awareness of the importance of bat conservation. 5. Each Party shall assign to an appropriate body responsibilities for the provision of advice on bat conservation and management within its territory particularly with regard to bats in buildings. Parties shall exchange information on their experiences in this matter. 6. Each Party shall take such additional action as it considers necessary to safeguard populations of bats which it identifies as being subject to threat and shall report under Article VI on the action taken. 7. Each Party shall, as appropriate, promote research programmes relating to the conservation and management of bats. Parties shall consult each other on such research programmes, and shall endeavour to co-ordinate such research and conservation programmes. 8. Each Party shall, wherever appropriate, consider the potential effects of pesticides on bats, when assessing pesticides for use, and shall endeavour to replace timber treatment chemicals which are highly toxic to bats with safer alternatives.

Consistent monitoring methodologies

Transboundary programme: species proposals

Transboundary programme: habitat proposals

Format of national reports

Implementation of the conservation and management plan

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.7

2.8

Recalls Annex K

Recalls Annex J & Art. VI of Agreement

Recalls Annex K priorities 10, 11 & 12

Recalls Annex K - priority 25

Recalls Annex K - priority 2

Recognizes commitments by Parties to bat conservation and acknowledges the fundamental obligation placed upon them by Art. III of the Agreement.

Recalls Art. VI of Agreement

Recalls

Instructs Secretariat to establish a monitoring database and report back at next MoP

Secretariat

Parties

Parties

Parties

Establishes Action Plan for 1998-2001 as in Annex A. Specifies priorities: Autecological studies, information on roosts, knowledge exchange of habitat use, raising awareness of building industry, pesticides; also continue work on the use of linear features.

A new section was added to the national reports.

Decides underground sites and forests should be subject to national research; Parties should provide data on these sites (annex I & II) and an assessment of sites experiencing man-made problems

Recommends the inclusion of Myotis dasycneme and Pipistrellus nathusii in transboundary cooperation; project descriptions may be used as guidelines for the development of projects.

Instructs the AC to review the intersessional progress of the Secretariat’s and the Parties’ monitoring work, advise the Secretariat in further development of the database, and finally refine the guidelines as necessary and according to experience gained during the intersessional period, and report back to the next MoP.

AC

Parties

Recommends guidelines to be employed by all Parties and NGOs to ensure consistency and information exchange between them;

Action Plan calls for cooperation in conservation and management of bat habitats, as well as a programme proposal for transboundary research and monitoring of migration routes, development of monitoring methodologies.

Urges Parties to submit to the Secretariat a national report on their implementation of the Agreement following the agreed guidelines to this Resolution. Encourages coordinating authorities to cooperate with relevant institutions in their country on the preparation of national reports.

Summary

Parties

Parties

Parties

1 MoP1 Resolutions originally not numbered, but attached to MoP1 Record as Annexes D to K.

Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan

Format and frequency of national reports

Title

1.71 (MoP1 Record, Annex K)

(MoP1 Record, Annex J)

1.61

Res.

the 1st –8th Sessions of the Meeting of Parties (MoP) to EUROBATS (AC = Advisory Committee, StC = Standing Committee)

Superseded by Res. 3.8 →9.7

Revised by Res. 3.3, recalled in 7.4

Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I)

Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2 (с))

Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex 1, 2 (c)

Complemented by Res. 2.8

Revised by Res. 2.7 and 3.3, recalled in 7.4

Status

Annex 2. Overview of the implementation status of Resolutions adopted by the 1st – 9th Sessions of the Meeting of Parties (MoP) to EUROBATS (AC = Advisory Committee, StC = Standing Committee) Annex 2. Overview of the implementation status of Resolutions adopted by

Format of national implementation reports

Guidelines for the issue of permits for Bat Ringing activities

International Year of the Bat

Implementation of the conservation and management plan

Guidelines for the protection and management of important underground habitats for bats

Bat conservation and sustainable forest management

Guidelines for the use of remedial timber treatment

Guidelines for the issue of permits for the capture and study of captured wild bats

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.8

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

Recalls Art. III (1) of the Agreement

Recalls Art. III, Par.8 of Agreement

Recalls Res. 2.4, Element 2. Notes the definition of forests adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Recalls Res. 2.4, Element 2 and Res. 3.8

Recognises Res. 2.8, Art. III of Agreement & work under 92/43/EC

Notes that 2001 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement

Recalls Art. III (1) of the Agreement

Recalls Art.VI of Agreement & Res. 2.7

Directs the Secretariat to collate and offer existing information for forest managers and forest workers, advising on bat conservation in forests, for translation into other languages.

Secretariat

Parties AC

Agrees to the following guidelines. Requests the AC to continue to develop and, as appropriate, revise the attached 'Notes for the guidance of national authorities' (Annex 9b) and 'Recommended ring sizes for European bat species' (Annex 9c).

Parties to implement small projects to provide basic data to allow an assessment of the potential impact of industry on bat populations. Raise awareness of product users; Share data and check whether products have any adverse effects on bats. Assess new pesticides.

AC to instigate the investigation and development of the use of bats as indicators for sustainable forestry and biodiversity in certain European Habitats. AC to develop guidelines on bat-friendly forestry practices to fulfill Actions 3.1 & 9.3 of CBD/CMS JWP 2002-5.

AC

Parties

Encourages the identification and monitoring of key areas/elements for bats in forests; encourages the protection and restoration of these; encourages to adopt measures, such as codes of best practice, to minimize damage to bats and their food from the use of pesticides and biocides especially in key areas. Promotes training and awareness for forest managers and workers.

Directs AC (AC) to complete, agree and publish Guidelines for the Conservation and Management of Underground Habitats for Bats.

AC

Parties

Parties to identify and manage important underground habitats as required by Res. 2.4 and share this with the Secretariat.

Requests parties to report at each AC on the implementation of the Action Plan. Decides to establish Action Plan for 2000-2003.

Decides to declare 2001 "International Year of the Bat"; calls Parties to make additional efforts to promote bat conservation & public awareness; encourages Non-Party Range States to collaborate on such campaigns

Requests AC to prepare guidelines for the issue of permits for bat ringing for AC4

A new section was added to the national reports.

Parties

Parties

Parties

AC

Parties

Amended by Res. 5.5

Implementation ongoing - Res. 6.16 (Annex I, 6, (a))

Superseded by Res. 7.7

Repealed by Res. 7.6 AC published EUROBATS Publication Series 2

Superseded by Res. 4.9 → 9.7

Completed

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 6.5

Superseded by Res. 7.4

Recognizing the important role of NGOs in bat conservation

Priority species for autecological studies

Bat rabies in Europe

Monitoring bats across Europe

4.12

5.2

5.4

Implementation of the conservation and management plan (2003-2006)

4.9

4.11

Wind turbines and bat populations

4.7

Recalls Res. 2.2 & 4.9 and notes Res. 2.4

Recalls Res. 2.8, pt 19, 24 and Rec. of Eur. Workshop on Bat Rabies in Vilnius 2004

Recalls Annex K, Res. 2.8 & 3.8

Refers to Art. III of Agreement; Recalls Res. 2.8 & 3.8.

Recalls Res. 7.5 of CMS Conference of Parties (CoP) and Art. III, Par. 6 of EUROBATS Agreement

Instructs the Secretariat to carry forward the proposals developed by the AC to CMS for inclusion in the next CBD/CMS JWP

Secretariat

Parties

Urges Parties and Range States to support the development of long-term pan-European surveillance to provide trend data; raise awareness of underground sites; exchange information on monitoring and surveillance; support use of Guidelines for Bat Monitoring Methods to assess population trends. Encourage and assist with capacity building of bat workers and surveyors and, where possible, volunteer networks in their country, to carry out bat surveillance projects.

Urges Parties and Range States to establish a national bat rabies surveillance network, ensure the implementation of precautionary advice to avoid infection; ensure bat vaccination is compulsory; ensure recording of all test results and their submission to the World Health Organisation.

Instruct the Secretariat, with advice from the AC, to encourage the project to be developed in detail, and to support the seeking for external funding as appropriate, and to report back on progress to the 5th MoP;

Secretariat

Parties

Encourages researchers to consider topics identified in Annex 15b. Instructs AC to develop a EUROBATS collaborative project focused on Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis capaccinii and Miniopterus schreibersii.

Parties AC

Expresses its good will to further support the most valuable activities of competent NGOs and to collaborate and share experiences that have the potential to substantially improve transboundary cooperation and mutual assistance.

Instructs the 9th Meeting of the AC to review the JWP 2002 – 2005 and to develop proposals for the JWP 2006 onwards

AC

Parties

Requests Parties to report at each AC on the implementation of the Action Plan. Decides to establish Action Plan for 2003-2006:

Decides that the AC should assess the impact of wind turbines on bats and, if appropriate, develop guidelines for consideration of bats in wind turbine projects.

AC

Parties

Encourages Parties and Range States to support investigations and research.

Parties

Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2, (e)) AC published EUROBATS Publication Series 5

Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 8, (a))

Superseded by Res. Res. 9.3

Implementation ongoing

Superseded by Res. 5.10 → 9.7

Superseded by Res. 5.6 → 9.4

Amendment to the Res.4.6: guidelines for the issue of permits for the capture and study of captured wild bats

Wind turbines and bat populations

Guidelines for the protection of overground roosts, with particular reference to roosts in buildings of cultural heritage importance

Implementation of the conservation and management plan

2008 - Global Year of the Bat

Guidelines for the implementation of the EUROBATS Project Initiative (EPI)

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.10

5.12

6.4

Recalling EPI was launched in Aug.2008 to provide funding for small/medium sized bat conservation projects.

Recognises the success achieved by the Agreement in promoting bat conservation

Recalls Res. 4.9

Recalls Res. 4.9, Element 3 (a)

Recalls Res. 2.2 & Res. 4.9

Recalls Res. 4.6

Accepts the standard formats for project applications and final reports which are attached as Annexes 1 and 2 to this Resolution Requests the AC to establish an EPI Selection Working Group of up to seven persons who assess the priority of eligible project proposals in accordance with the criteria listed above Further requests the AC to provide the Secretariat with the EPI Selection Working Group assessment of project priority during the AC

Parties AC

Decides to endorse UNEP/CMS proposal to declare 2008 the international year of the bat & for Parties to make additional efforts to promote bat conservation & public awareness.

Urges the AC to complete and publish the guidance document Requests Parties to report at each AC on the implementation of the Action Plan. Decides to establish Action Plan for 2006-2010

AC Parties

Parties

Urges Parties and Non-Party Range States to: establish national databases of important overground roosts; ensure their protection; establish working relationship with relevant agencies between cultural and natural heritage agencies; prepare guidelines for custodians of historical buildings, on the protection of bat roosts; Include in future national reports a summary of these interactions.

Urges Parties and Range States to raise awareness on the impact of turbines on bats and the existence of some unsuitable habitats or sites for construction. Ensure undertaking of pre-construction impact assessments. Ensure the publication of generic guidelines and their continuous update.

Res.4.6. par.8 should be replaced by ‘Licensing authorities should develop a means of recommending standards for equipment that is approved for the activities carried out in 5 above, including the recommendation of suitable sources of equipment and of the materials used for the equipment; Annex 9b ‘Ref. para.5’ to read ‘Approved methods of capture include'; Annex 9c ring size 2.9 from sized horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus blasii, R. euryale and R. mehelyi.

Parties

Parties

Parties

In effect, amended by Res. 7.15 - EPI Selection WG established during AC16

Completed

Superseded by Res. 6.16 → 9.7

Superseded by Res. 8.5

Repealed by Res. 6.11 AC published EUROBATS Publication Series 3

Amendment completed Implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7

Guidelines on ethics for research and field work practices

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and control of lethal fungal infections in bats

Conservation and management of critical feeding areas, core areas around colonies and commuting routes

Monitoring of daily and seasonal movements of bats

Year of the Bat

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.8

6.9

Acknowledges support received in the last 20 years and the success in promoting bat conservation

Considers establishment of IWG at MoP 5 to collect information on migration of species in the range.

Recalls Res. 4.9, pt. 4

Recalls Art.III, Par.6 & 7 of Agreement, Res. 9.8 CMS CoP & EUROBATS AC14 concerns (p 44-5)

Recalls Art.III, Par. 1 & 7 of Agreement, Res. 3.4, 4.6 & 5.5.

Endorse the proposal of UNEP/CMS Secretariat to declare the years 2011 and 2012 "Year of the Bat" focusing 2011 on Europe linked to the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of EUROBATS and followed by a worldwide campaign in 2012

To complete their work on this area and to publish generic guidance To encourage research in daily/seasonal movements, to undertake priority studies, collect info concerning migration, increase cooperation with bird banding organisation. Need to consider guidelines of EUROBATS Pub. No. 3 and Res. 6.11.

AC Parties

Parties

To raise awareness of the importance of critical feeding areas, core areas around known colonies and commuting routes for bats; ensure that the needs of bats are taken into account in land use and planning decisions; encourage research and monitoring to improve understanding of the use of landscape by bats; develop appropriate national guidelines, drawing on the general guidance to be published by the AC.

To publish up-to-date contact details of focal points on the website. To ensure that bat conservation and caving communities are aware of the White Nose Syndrome threat in North America; to encourage surveillance for the presence of fungal infections, plan for the contingency that lethal fungal infections become established in Europe and include precautionary measures to prevent spread.

Secretariat Parties

Parties

Urges Parties to have an appropriate Code of Practice that addresses the context and legitimacy of acquisition, due diligence, long-term care, documentation, relevance and institutional aims.

Instructs the Secretariat to collect project applications dedicated to EPI and upon notification and consultation with National focal point/authorities pass those which are eligible to the EPI Selection Working Group for further assessments. Further instructs the Secretariat to submit the prioritised list of project applications and the EPI Selection Working Group assessments to all Parties with an encouragement to ensure appropriate funding through voluntary contributions;

Parties

Secretariat

Completed

Superseded by Res. Res. 7.12

Repealed by Res. 7.8, publication issued in 2019

In effect implementation ongoing, Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 8, (a))

In effect implementation ongoing

Synergies between the Agreement and other European treaties for nature conservation

Wind turbines and bat populations

Bat conservation and sustainable forest management

6.10

6.11

6.12

Recalls Res. 4.4 and 2.4 (forests included)

Recalls Res. 2.2

Refers to Bern Convention of the European Council, recognizes EU membership & recalls Res. 4.6, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 & draft Res. 6.5-8

Urges Parties and Range States to: Develop their own national guidance appropriate to their bat communities, forest ecosystems and forest management practices based on the principles in the EUROBATS Bats and Forestry leaflet; Share best practice forestry guidance via the EUROBATS website. Calls upon the Parties to explore possibilities for using the UN International Year of the Forest 2011 to bring joint issues of bat conservation in forests forward. Instructs AC to consider the update of Boye and Dietz's "The development of good practice guidelines for woodland management for bats", English Nature Research Report Number 661. Secretariat to explore possibilities for using the United Nations International Year of the Forest 2011 to bring joint issues of bat conservation in forests forward.

AC

Secretariat

Requests the AC to: Keep the generic guidelines updated; Continue to compile relevant information, including methods to assess the impact on bat populations

AC

Parties

Urges Parties and Range States to raise awareness on the impact of turbines on bats and existence of some unsuitable habitats or sites for construction. Ensure undertaking of pre-construction impact assessments. Develop and ensure implementation of national guidance following EUROBATS Pub.3. AC to update guidelines and compile relevant information.

Urges the Secretariat to raise awareness for potential synergies with other European nature conservation treaties; to support information exchange and cooperation, to harmonise contents of national reports and reduce the work load related to reporting.

Secretariat

Parties

Instructs the AC to review the format of National Reports with the aims of: 1. Including bat indicator statistics or data on bats which are needed to create a European bat indicator in accordance with the outcomes of the IWG on Bats as Indicators; 2. Harmonising the contents and time schedules of National Reports and updates under the Agreement with national report for other International reporting obligations covering bats, e.g. the EU Habitats Directive; 3. Encouraging non-EU Parties and non-Party Range States to assess the conservation status of their bat populations by applying the methodology, which was agreed by EU member states for the implementation of Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, 4. Reducing the work load connected to reporting in general.

AC

Repealed by Res. 7.7

Repealed by Res. 7.5

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 7, (b))

Wind turbines and bat populations

Implementation of the conservation and management plan (2011-2014)

6.16

7.5

Impact on bat populations of the use of antiparasitic drugs for livestock

6.15

Format of National Implementation Reports

Impact of roads and other traffic infrastructures on bats

6.14

7.4

Bats as indicators for biodiversity

6.13

Recalls Res. 2.2, CMS Res. 7.5 on Wind Turbines and Migratory Species, the Directives No. 2011/92/EU

Recalls Article IV of the Agreement, Res. 2.7 and 3.3

Recalls Art.III, Par.8 of Agreement and Par.23 of Annex K and C.M.Plans.

Recalls Res. 4.4, 5.4, 5.10 and 6.16

Develop and ensure implementation of national guidance following the most recent version of the EUROBATS AC generic Guidelines; promote the use of blade feathering, higher turbine cut-in wind speeds and shutting down turbines temporarily to reduce or avoid bat mortality

Update the format to incorporate the relevant decisions at MoP7 To make the new format available for online completion in time for MoP8 reporting.

AC Secretariat Parties

To use a new format for the National Implementation Reports

Requests parties to report at each AC on the implementation of the Action Plan. Decides to establish Action Plan for 2011-2014:

Parties

Parties

To take a precautionary approach to the use of antiparasitic drugs. Limit their impact through the development of efficient non-chemical methods to control livestock parasites and use of products of least toxicity to non-target species. Encourage research and adopt recommendations in Annex I.

Requests the AC to develop and publish a EUROBATS booklet highlighting the effects of roads on bats and providing guidance on minimising the impact of infrastructure projects on bats.

AC

Parties

Urges Parties and Non-Party Range States to: Take bats into account during the planning, construction and operation of roads and other infrastructure projects; Promote research into the impact of new and, where appropriate, existing roads and other infrastructure on bats and into the effectiveness of mitigation measures; Develop appropriate national or supranational guidelines, drawing on the general guidance to be published by the AC;

Requests AC to continue the development of indicators of the activities and achievements of EUROBATS from the national reports and their updates, or other information provided by Parties and Range States

AC

Parties

Urges Parties and Non-Party Range States to: Support the development of (national, regional and pan-European) biodiversity indicators for appropriate target audiences, using bat data; Facilitate the incorporation of bat data within high profile multi-taxa indicators to make them more truly representative of biodiversity; Support the objective of gathering the data for these indicators; Forge cooperation platforms that facilitate the required data exchange; Work towards the provision of standardised statistics in the national reports to EUROBATS.

Parties

Repealed by Res. 8.4

In effect implementation ongoing

Superseded by Res. 7.13→ 9.7

In effect implementation ongoing

Repealed by Res. 7.9

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2, (j))

Conservation and Management of Important Underground Sites for Bats

Bat Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management

Conservation and Management of critical Feeding Areas, Core Areas around Colonies and Commuting Routes

7.6

7.7

7.8

Recalls Article 10 of the EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Res. 4.9, pt. 4

Recalls Res. 4.4 and CMS Res. 7.2 on migratory species and environmental impact assessment

Recalls Res.2.4 (element 2) and 3.8

and No. 2001/42/EC, EU Guidance document on Wind Energy development and Natura 2000 (2010)

Investigate cases of loss or damage to listed sites that are brought to its attention, initially by correspondence with the Party involved. Such investigations should be reported at each MoP; to investigate ways of making the site data more accessible and useful whilst respecting the confidentiality of detailed site information

Secretariat

Raise awareness of the importance of critical feeding areas, core areas around known colonies and commuting routes for bats; strongly recommend that the needs of bats are taken into account in land use and planning decisions; encourage research and monitoring to improve our understanding of the use of landscape by bats; develop appropriate national guidelines, drawing on the general guidance Finalise the general guidance

Parties

AC

Take into account the importance of trees as bat roosts in sustainable forest management and of the possible negative impact of intensive forest management on bat populations; develop their own national guidance appropriate to their bat communities, forest ecosystems and forest management practices based on the principles in the EUROBATS Bats and Forestry leaflet. Share best practice forest management guidance via the EUROBATS website. Environmental impacts of activities not directly concerned with forest management that affect the integrity of forest habitats should be taken into account during their planning and implementation. Promote research into forest management that is sustainable for bats; into the requirements of bats dependent on forest habitats and into understanding the factors negatively influencing them.

Publish the most recent version of the Guidelines To identify their most important underground habitats, using the updated guidance; to submit updated counts of bats at each site, being the seasonal maximum count over the preceding 8 year period. Updates should be submitted to the Secretariat within one year of the MoP.

Secretariat Parties

Parties

Keep the generic guidelines updated; continue to compile relevant information, including methods to assess the impact of wind power generation on bat populations.

AC

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 4, (a))

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2, (h))

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 3, (b))

Impact of Roads and Other Traffic Infrastructures on Bats

Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation

Bats and Building Insulation

Priority Species for Autecological Studies

7.9

7.10

7.11

7.12

Recalls Res. 4.12

Recalls Article III of the Agreement, especially paragraphs 1 and 2;Res. 5.7; the EU Directives 2004/35/CE and 2010/31/EU; the Kioto Protocol

Recalls Article III of the Agreement, paragraphs 1, 2, 4 and 5, notes Res. 5.2, 5.4, 5.7, 6.5, 6.8, 6.16 , 7.11

Recalls CMS Res. 7.12 on migratory species and environmental impact assessment

Encourage researchers to consider the topics identified in the Annex as priorities to assist in the conservation of species with an unfavourable conservation status. Update the Annex as required

AC

Develop guidelines on best practice in taking account of bats in insulation projects.

AC Parties

Take into account, when assessing the importance of individuals losses, that the cumulative impact of fatalities and loss of bat roosts in buildings can lead to detrimental effects on bat populations; work to resolve any possible conflict between insulation regulations and bat conservation; include the impact on bats in the environmental assessment of insulation programs at a strategic level; look into the problem of bat roosts and different types of insulation in relation to privately or community owned buildings; recommend appropriate awareness-raising campaigns, training and information materials for stake-holders involved in insulation projects about bat conservation in buildings

Develop guidelines for bat rehabilitators and a system for collecting information for international cooperation

AC Parties

To encourage: establishment and support of effective animal rescue and rehabilitation systems which include bats in their countries; collabo-ration between bat rehabilitators and scientists for the purposes of data collection, other scientific research and exchange of knowledge capacity building and training in order to raise the standards of bat rescue and re-habilitation; the use of standardised record protocols by bat rehabilitators and the contribution of data to any existing national database, or the estab-lishment of such a database. Use only captive disabled bats for public events.

Publish EUROBATS guidelines highlighting the effects of roads on bats and providing guidance on minimising the impact of transport infrastructure projects on bats

AC

Parties

Take bats into account during the planning, construction and operation of roads and other transport infrastructure projects; ensure that preconstruction strategic and environmental impact assessment procedures and post construction monitoring are undertaken and recommend that the data collected are made available for independent scientific analysis; promote further research into the impact of new and existing roads and other transport infrastructure on bats and especially into the effectiveness of mitigation measures; develop appropriate national or supranational guidelines, drawing on the general guidance to be published by the AC;

Parties

Repealed by Res. 9.3

Superseded by Res. 8.9

Superseded by Res. 8.8

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 4, (b))

Amendment to Res. 6.4: Guidelines for the Implementation of the EUROBATS Projects Initiative (EPI)

7.15

Recalls and amends Res.6.4

Recalls Article III of the Agreement; Directives 2011/92/EU and 2001/42/EC. Refers to Res. 7.5, 7.9

Refers to the fundamental obligations placed upon Parties in Article III of the Agreement. Acknowledges the work being carried out in the framework of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) and in the framework of the Bern Convention

Monitoring of Daily and Recalls Res. 7.5 and 8.10 Seasonal Movements of Bats

Quality of Assessments and Experience and Skills of Experts

7.14

8.3

Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2015 - 2018)

7.13

Shall prepare a plan of action based on the implementation priorities identified by the AC.

Secretariat

Collate information on above-mentioned research topics.

AC

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 9)

Ensure effective protection of migratory species and their habitats; In effect support research in bat migration; implementation prioritise studies to identify areas for breeding and hibernation, migration ongoing - Res. 9.7 routes, stopover sites and population parameters (population sizes and (Annex I, 2 (f)) trends) with the use of classical and novel methods, such as banding, radiotagging, acoustic, genetic and isotope analyses; stimulate cross-boundary efforts in research and conservation of migratory species; report information on studies in behaviour and population sizes of migratory bats, including references to published articles; increase the cooperation with bird banding centres; raise the awareness on the vulnerability of migratory species in the public and among stakeholders.

Implement new requirements for the final reports of funded projects

Repealed and superseded by Res. 8.10

Superseded by Res. 8.11→ 9.7

Parties

Secretariat

To develop criteria of the required standard experience and skills of experts assessing the impact of projects, plans and programmes on populations of European bats

Shall review the success that each Party or Range State has in achieving each goal, and will seek to disseminate examples of good practice between Parties and Range States.

AC

AC

Parties should consider taking forward the actions to enhance the conservation status of bats.

With advice from the AC, to encourage projects to be developed in detail on the Priority Species listed in the Annex and to support the seeking for external funding as appropriate

Parties

Secretariat

8.4

AC

Wind Turbines and Bat Recalls Res. 2.2, 8.10, 8.11, Parties Populations CMS Resolution 7.5 on Wind Turbines and Migratory Species. Directives No. 2001/42/EC and 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament, EU guidance document on Wind Energy development and Natura 2000 (2010)

Continue to compile relevant information, including methods to assess the impact of wind power generation on bat populations. Update EUROBATS Publication Series No. 6, if required. Publish the update, following circulation to all Parties through the written procedure.

Take into account the impacts that onshore and offshore wind turbines have Repealed and on bat populations on different geographical scales. superseded by Res. 9.4 Raise awareness and take into account that some habitats and areas, where a negative impact on bats is predicted, may not be suitable for the operation of wind turbines. Exclude wind energy developments from areas with a special focus on bat protection. Encourage all stakeholders to engage in research on the best methods for impact assessment and mitigating bat mortality at turbines for mutual benefit. Promote continued dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders in the search for best practice to avoid or minimise the adverse impact of wind energy generation on bat populations. Ensure that: • appropriate impact assessments are undertaken pre- and postconstruction, including mortality rate assessments regardless of the results of the preconstruction assessment. • post-construction monitoring and mitigation measures continue as long as needed to guarantee effectiveness. • measures to avoid and mitigate impacts on bats are supervised by authorities. • impact assessment procedures and post-construction monitoring are undertaken by appropriately experienced experts. • proper mitigation measures are prescribed during the approval procedure and are being implemented and are effective. • information about prescribed mitigation measures is publicly available. Encourage developers of wind energy projects and responsible authorities: to make raw data from impact assessment and post-construction monitoring available for independent analysis and to make reports from impact assessments and post-construction monitoring publicly available. Develop and ensure implementation of national guidance following EUROBATS Publication Series No. 6. Avoid or reduce bat mortality with measures such as blade feathering, higher turbine cut-in wind speeds and shutting down turbines temporarily.

Conservation and Management of Important Overground Sites for Bats

Bats and Light Pollution

8.5

8.6

Recalls Res. 2.2, 5.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.5, 8.10, 8.11 and the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe” (COM/2011/0571)

Recalls Res. 4.9 and 5.7

Take into account that artificial light in general has a negative impact on bats and should be avoided wherever and whenever possible. Ensure that: • planning of artificial lighting projects is undertaken in compliance with national legislation regarding bat protection and conservation by implementing appropriate avoidance, mitigation and compensation for habitat loss. • impact assessment procedures and post-installation/development monitoring are undertaken by appropriately experienced experts. • impacts of artificial light on bats are included in impact assessment procedures. Work to resolve any conflict between artificial light and bats Encourage developers of lighting concepts or responsible authorities to make raw data from impact assessments and post-installation/development monitoring available for independent analysis; to make reports of impact assessments and post-installation/development monitoring available for the public. Encourage and support scientific research on the impacts of artificial light on bats. Encourage all stakeholders to engage in research on the best methods for avoiding or mitigating the negative impacts of light pollution on bats. Promote continued cooperation between lighting professionals and other stakeholders in the search for best practice to avoid or minimise the adverse impact of artificial light on bats. Develop and promote implementation of national guidance taking due account of the EUROBATS Publication Series No. 8.

Record and follow up cases of loss or damage to listed sites that are brought to its attention, initially by correspondence with the Party or nonParty Range State involved. Such cases should be reported at each MoP. Investigate ways of making the site data more accessible and useful whilst respecting the confidentiality of detailed site information.

Secretariat

Parties

Identify their most important overground roosts considering the guidance on site selection (Annex 1) and using the established national database. Submit information about each selected site before MoP9 and update this information at least before every alternate MoP (according to an 8 year cycle, with the next revisions due before MoP 11), using an electronic form, available from the EUROBATS Secretariat. Ensure listed sites are managed so as to maintain their importance for bats following Resolution 5.7. Inform the Secretariat of listed sites that have been damaged or destroyed and the reasons for this loss.

Parties

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 4 (c))

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 3 (c))

Bats and Climate Change

Guidelines for Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation

8.7

8.8

Recalls Res. 7.8, 7.10 AC

Parties

AC

Recalls Res. 2.2, CMS Parties Resolution 12.21 on Climate Change and migratory species, Directives No. 2001/42/EC and No. 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament

AC

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 10)

Develop appropriate national guidelines, drawing on the general guidance to In effect be finalised by the Advisory Committee implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 Develop appropriate national guidelines, drawing on the general guidance to (Annex I, 2 (k)) be finalised by the Advisory Committee

Identify knowledge gaps and research priorities relating to the impacts of climate change on bats. Identify standardised methodologies to evaluate species and populations vulnerability to climate change. Compile all relevant scientific information to assess the impact of climate change on bats. Develop guidelines for the most urgent or prioritised actions identified, if appropriate. Publish any such guidelines following circulation to all Parties for approval.

Promote research into the effects of climate change on bats. Cooperate on assessments of bat vulnerability to climate change at the EUROBATS range level. Monitor changes in species migration, hibernation, reproductive and rangeshift patterns and consequent species interactions. Ensure habitat availability and connectivity for bats now and in the future by appropriate means of habitat protection, the establishment of ecological networks and adaptive habitat management. Ensure that climate change impact on bats is taken into account in land-use planning and impact assessment in future projects evaluation. Raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on bats. Promote continued cooperation and collaboration between scientists, professionals and other stakeholders and international bodies whose work is related to climate change.

Continue to compile relevant information, including efficacy of mitigation measures and methods to assess the impact of artificial light on individual bats and bat populations. Update the generic guidelines, now available as EUROBATS Publication Series No. 8, if required. Publish the update, following circulation to all Parties through the written procedure.

Bats, Insulation and Lining Materials

Recommended Experience and Skills of Experts with regard to Quality of Assessments

8.9

8.10

AC

Recalls Res. 8.4, 8.6, Parties Directives No. 2001/42/EC and No. 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament

AC

Res. 5.7, 8.3, 8.5 Parties Directives 2004/35/CE, 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament, the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe” (COM/2011/0571). Kyoto Protocol

Develop a set of criteria for evaluating the quality of assessment reports.

Ensure that: • experts/groups of experts carrying out assessment of projects, plans and programmes on populations of European bats meet the minimum standard of skills, knowledge and experience as described in the Annex to this Resolution; • assessment reports of projects are objective and meet appropriate scientific quality standards: that relevant authorities dealing with these assessments possess the appropriate resources and capacities to be able to assess and evaluate the results of those studies.

Finalise draft Guidelines on Bats, Insulation and Lining Materials, currently available as Annex to this Resolution. Publish the Guidelines following circulation to all Parties for approval.

Ensure that insulation projects are undertaken in compliance with national legislation regarding bat protection and conservation by implementing appropriate pre-insulation surveys and assessments, mitigation and compensation to avoid roost loss and bat mortality. Put in place mechanisms for post-insulation monitoring to ensure mitigation and compensation has been implemented, and to assess the efficacy of mitigation measures. Where mitigation and compensation measures are not effective, encourage the development of new approaches. Take into account, when assessing the importance of individual losses, that the cumulative impact of fatalities and loss of bat roosts in buildings can lead to detrimental effects on bat populations. Resolve any possible conflict between insulation regulations and bat conservation. Include bats in the impact assessment of insulation programs at a strategic level. Recommend appropriate awareness-raising campaigns, training and information materials for public and stakeholders involved in insulation projects about bat protection in buildings. Encourage the sharing of data and good practice in relation to bats and insulation, the collation of standardised bat records (for example, by setting up a database), so these are easily available to bat experts and officials. Develop appropriate national guidelines, drawing on on the general guidance

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2 (a))

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 3 (d))

Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2019 - 2022)

Purpose-built Manmade Roosts

Insect Decline as a Threat to Bat Populations in Europe

8.11

8.12

8.13

Res. 6.15, 7.8, 8.6. Par. 8 of Article III of the Agreement EU Regulation 1107/2009

Recalls Res. 4.9, 5.7, 7.13

Refers to the fundamental obligations placed upon Parties in Article III of the Agreement and effective resolutions.

Parties

Encourage and support scientific research on the impact of insect decline on bat populations. Avoid the use of pesticides, particularly those problematic for bats and their food resources, in and around areas which are important for bat conservation. Promote action programmes for the conservation of insects and restoration of their habitats in consideration of their vulnerability, aiming at the known causes of insect decline. Consider bats in pesticide risk assessments. In general, take a precautionary approach with respect to the use of pesticides. Promote awareness of the multiple ecological services provided by bats, especially for the agricultural sector, and raise awareness regarding the concerns mentioned above with land managers and other stakeholders. Promote continued cooperation and collaboration between scientists, professionals, stakeholders and international bodies whose work is related to insect decline.

Finalise the review document and keep it updated and available for the public; Continue to collate relevant information.

AC

Prepare a plan of action based on the implementation priorities identified by the AC.

Secretariat

Consider examples provided by the review document included as Annex 1 whenever new roosting structures are planned or existing structures are renovated for bats; Monitor existing purpose-built Bat Roosts and promote further studies on their effectiveness

Shall review the success that each Party or Range State has in achieving each goal, and will seek to disseminate examples of good practice between Parties and Range States.

AC

Parties

Parties should consider taking forward the actions to enhance the conservation status of bats.

Parties

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 6 (a))

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 3 (a))

Superseded by Res. 9.7

9.3

Priority Species for Autecological Studies

Update the Annex to Resolution 9.3 as required.

Clarify main factors causing the established loss of insect biomass. Collect relevant information on the current insect decline, and to assess its potential effects on bat populations in Europe. Develop guidelines for the most urgent or prioritised actions identified, if appropriate. Publish any such guidelines following circulation to all Parties for approval.

Secretariat Encourage projects to be developed in detail on the Priority Species listed in the Annex, and to support the seeking for external funding as appropriate;

AC

AC

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 6 (a))

9.4

Wind Turbines and Bat Recalls Res. 2.2, 8.10, 8.11, Populations CMS Resolution 7.5 on Wind Turbines and Migratory Species. Directives No. 2001/42/EC and 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament, EU guidance document on Wind Energy development and Natura 2000 (2010); UN Biodiversity Strategy Plan which acknowledges the need to resolve trade-offs between sustainable development goals; Council Directive 90/313/EEC on the Freedom of Access to Information on the Environment

Parties

• avoid wind energy developments in areas with a special focus on bat In effect protection. implementation • encourage all stakeholders to engage in research on the best methods for ongoing - Res. 9.7 impact assessment and mitigating bat mortality at turbines for mutual benefit. (Annex I, 2 (i)) • promote continued dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders in the search for best practice to avoid or minimise the adverse impact of wind energy generation on bat populations. • promote research in the offshore environment to enhance monitoring techniques, improve understanding of impacts, and identify potential solutions, also in collaboration with research conducted on other taxa. • for repowering proposals as well as for entirely new developments, ensure that appropriate impact assessments are undertaken pre- and postconstruction, including mortality rate assessments, bearing in mind that preconstruction assessments are not a good predictor for post-construction mortality. • for existing wind turbines, given the crucial importance of collecting mortality data, promote post-construction assessments, including mortality rate assessments, regardless of the results of the pre-construction assessment. • promote the continuation of post-construction monitoring and mitigation measures for as long as needed to guarantee effectiveness. • encourage stakeholders, including policy advisors and wind energy operators, to reconsider the operation scheme of existing wind turbines when they were commissioned without proper impact assessments and postconstruction monitoring. • urge stakeholders, including policy advisors and wind energy operators, considering repowering schemes, to collect data on bat activity and fatality rates at existing operational turbines at the site, and to take account of this evidence when designing and permitting the repowering (e.g., by altering height, rotor area, or habitat). • develop and ensure implementation of national guidance following EUROBATS Publication Series No. 6. • ensure that measures to avoid and mitigate impacts on bats are supervised by authorities. • ensure that impact assessment procedures and post-construction monitoring are undertaken by appropriately experienced experts as described in the Annex of Resolution 8.10. • ensure that impact assessment procedures and post-construction monitoring follows either EUROBATS guidelines, or where they are more stringent, national guidelines. • ensure that developers of wind energy projects and responsible authorities make raw data from impact assessment and post-construction monitoring available for independent analysis and cumulative impact assessments. • ensure that developers of wind energy projects and responsible authorities make reports from impact assessments and post-construction monitoring publicly available.

Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan (2023 - 2026)

9.7

Refers to the fundamental obligations placed upon Parties in Article III of the Agreement and effective resolutions.

Communication, Bat Recalls Res. 5.2, CMS Res. 9.8 Conservation and Public Health

9.6

Refers to Res. 8.4, 8.6, 8.10 Recalls the Council Directive No. 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment; the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment.

Support to Authorities dealing with Bat Assessment Reports:

9.5

Develop a checklist for the authorities which enables the authorities to examine the assessment reports at hand in terms of completeness and soundness. Use the annex to Resolution 9.5 as a template to develop a checklist to support their authorities dealing with bat assessment reports.

In effect implementation ongoing - Res. 9.7 (Annex I, 2 (i))

Shall review the success that each Party or Range State has in achieving each goal, and will seek to disseminate examples of good practice between Parties and Range States.

Parties should consider taking forward the actions to enhance the conservation status of bats.

Secretariat Prepare a plan of action based on the implementation priorities identified by the AC.

AC

Parties

In effect implementation ongoing

Monitor and react to the erroneous coverage of zoonotic diseases in scientific In effect publications as well as in the media and associated commentaries as far as implementation bats are concerned. ongoing - Res. 9.7 Secretariat Make the response of the Advisory Committee to such publications available (Annex I, 8 (b)) on its website

AC

Parties

• continue to compile relevant information, including methods to assess the impact of wind power generation on bat populations. • update the generic guidelines, now available as EUROBATS Publication Series No. 6, by MOP 10. Secretariat Work with the international funders, including the World Bank, the UNDP, the EBRD, and others to develop strategies for ensuring that funding for wind energy developments is in line with the adoption of these resolutions.

AC

Annex 3. Current list of species covered by the Agreement with their (global) IUCN Red List status The conservation status of bats is periodically assessed by IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, including recently through a European Mammals Assessment (EMA) and a Global Mammals Assessment (GMA). Details of the information used to produce the assessments for Europe can be found in Temple, H.J. & Terry, A. (Compilers) 2007. The Status and Distribution of European Mammals. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 48pp. [Printed summary;

species

details

available

at

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/

conservation/species/ema/ The results of the Global Mammals Assessment were incorporated into The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008, available only on the web at http://www.iucnredlist.org/. Many of these species were re-assessed by IUCN for publication in 2018. The table below covers all those species included within the wider Europe defined by EUROBATS and the Berne Convention. Where appropriate, species have been marked as Not Evaluated (NE) or Not Applicable (N/A), because the species was not recognised at the time of assessment, does not occur in the region defined for EMA, or the regional populations were considered insignificant in the overall distribution. Within the EU, Rousettus aegyptiacus and ‘all Microchiroptera‘ species are protected under Annex IV of the Habitats Directive; the species which are afforded additional protection under Annex II of this Directive are indicated in the final column. Common name (English) Scientific name

Red List Europe

IUCN Red List Global 2018

EU Hab Dir Annex II

Egyptian Fruit Bat

Rousettus aegyptiacus

NE, N/A

LC

Yes

Naked-rumped Tomb Bat

Taphozous nudiventris

NE

LC

N/A

Lesser Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus hipposideros

NT

LC

Yes

Greater Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

NT

LC

Yes

Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus euryale

VU

NT

Yes

Mehely’s Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus mehelyi

VU

VU

Yes

Blasius’s Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus blasii

VU

LC

Yes

Daubenton’s Bat

Myotis daubentonii

LC

LC

No

Pond Bat

Myotis dasycneme

NT

NT

Yes

Long-fingered Bat

Myotis capaccinii

VU

VU

Yes

Brandt’s Bat

Myotis brandtii

LC

LC

No

Whiskered Bat

Myotis mystacinus

LC

LC

No

Alcathoe Whiskered Bat

Myotis alcathoe

DD

DD

No

David’s whiskered bat

Myotis davidii

NE

LC

N/A

Natterer’s Bat

Myotis nattereri

LC

LC

No

Iberian Natterer’s Bat

Myotis escalerai

NE

LC

No

Schaub’s Bat

Myotis schaubi

NE

DD

N/A

Cryptic Bat

Myotis crypticus

NE

NE

N/A

Tschuli’s Bat

Myotis tschuliensis

NE

NE

N/A

Geoffroy’s Bat

Myotis emarginatus

LC

LC

Yes

Bechstein’s Bat

Myotis bechsteinii

VU

NT

Yes

Greater Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis myotis

LC

LC

Yes

Lesser Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis blythii

NT

(LC)

Yes

Maghrebian Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis punicus

NT

DD

No

Noctule Bat

Nyctalus noctula

LC

LC

No

Greater Noctule Bat

Nyctalus lasiopterus

DD

VU

No

Leisler’s Bat

Nyctalus leisleri

LC

LC

No

Azorean Noctule Bat

Nyctalus azoreum

EN

VU

No

Common Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

LC

LC

No

Soprano Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus pygmaeus

LC

LC

No

Hanak’s Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus hanaki

NE

DD

No

Nathusius’s Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus nathusii

LC

LC

No

Kuhl’s Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus kuhlii

LC

LC

No

Madeiran Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrellus maderensis

EN

VU

No

Savi’s Pipistrelle Bat

Hypsugo savii

LC

LC

No

Parti-coloured Bat

Vespertilio murinus

LC

LC

No

Serotine Bat

Eptesicus serotinus

LC

LC

No

Northern Bat

Eptesicus nilssonii

LC

LC

No

Isabelline Serotine Bat

Eptesicus isabellinus

NE

LC

No

Botta’s Serotine Bat

Eptesicus ognevi

NE

LC

N/A

Anatolian Serotine Bat

Eptesicus anatolicus

NE , N/A

LC

No

Western Barbastelle Bat

Barbastella barbastellus

VU

NT

Yes

Eastern Barbastelle Bat

Barbastella caspica

NE

NE

N/A

Hemprich’s Long-eared Bat

Otonycteris hemprichii

NE

LC

N/A

Brown Long-eared Bat

Plecotus auritus

LC

LC

No

Alpine Long-eared Bat

Plecotus macrobullaris

NT

LC

No

Sardinian Long-eared Bat

Plecotus sardus

VU

VU

No

Grey Long-eared Bat

Plecotus austriacus

LC

LC

No

Balkan Long-eared Bat

Plecotus kolombatovici

NT

LC

No

Canary Long-eared Bat

Plecotus teneriffae

EN

VU

No

Gaisler’s Long-eared Bat

Plecotus gaisleri

NE

NE

N/A

Anatolian Bent-winged Bat

Miniopterus pallidus

NE

NT

N/A

Schreiber’s Bent-winged Bat

Miniopterus schreibersii

NT

NT

Yes

European Free-tailed Bat

Tadarida teniotis

LC

LC

No

Red List categories: CR: Critically Endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable, NT: Near Threatened, LC: Least Concern; DD: Data Deficient, NE: Not Evaluated.

Annex 4. Working group members The Intersessional Working Group that led to the development of the original Implementation Guide (Hutson et al, 2015) comprised the following members. The 2019 revision and this current revision were carried out by the Co-chairs (Anthony Hutson and Ferdia Marnell) and Ruth Petermann (Germany). Name

E-mail

Country/Institution

*Mr Anthony Hutson

[email protected]

IUCN

*Dr Ferdia Marnell

[email protected]

Ireland

Dr Stephane Aulagnier

[email protected]

France

Dr Martin Celuch

[email protected]

Slovak Republic

Dr Panagiotis Georgiakakis

[email protected]

Greece

Dr Karen Haysom

[email protected]

BCT

Dr Helena Jahelková

[email protected]

Czech Republic

Dr Thierry Kervyn

[email protected]

Belgium

Dr Andrzej Kepel

[email protected]

PTOP Salamandra

Dr Carmi Korine

[email protected]

Israel

Ms Monika Lesz

[email protected]

Poland

Ms Jean Matthews

[email protected]

United Kingdom

Ms Arjana Matushi

[email protected]

Albania

Ms Ruth Petermann

[email protected]

Germany

Dr Gunars Petersons

[email protected]

Latvia

Mr Ullar Rammul

[email protected]

Estonia

Mr Oliver Schall

[email protected]

Germany

MrPhillipeTheou

[email protected]

University of Tirana

Ms Triinu Tõrv

[email protected]

Estonia

* co-chairs